A new colossus has been crowned in the world of thrill rides, shattering multiple records in a single, breathtaking drop. Falcons Flight, the flagship attraction at the new Six Flags Qiddiya resort in Saudi Arabia, is now officially the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster on the planet.
A Goliath Among Coasters
Opened with a soft launch on 31 December, the steel giant soars to a staggering height of 195 metres (640 feet). To put that into a British perspective, it towers at more than double the height of London's iconic Big Ben, which measures 96 metres. The coaster's immense scale allows it to achieve blistering speeds of up to 155 miles per hour.
The £740 million Six Flags resort is a cornerstone of the vast Qiddiya City development in Riyadh province, a project anticipated to attract 17 million annual visitors. The entertainment district will also feature a bespoke Formula One track, a Dragon Ball theme park, and a major water park.
More Record-Breaking Attractions
Falcons Flight's debut last week saw it seize the crown from Ohio's Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point. Construction, led by manufacturer Intamin, began in April 2023, with the final piece installed in December 2024.
Yet, this behemoth is not the only record-holder at the park. The resort boasts an impressive roster of extreme attractions:
- Sirocco Tower: The world's tallest freestanding shot tower at 145m.
- Gyrospin: The tallest pendulum ride with a 53m swing.
- Iron Rattler: The tallest tilt coaster, standing at 63.4m.
- Spitfire: The world's tallest inverted triple-launch roller coaster at 73m.
"An Absolute Machine": First Rider Reactions
YouTube creator Shawn Sanbrooke of the Themepark Worldwide channel was among the first to experience Falcons Flight. In an emotional review, he described the ride as "absolutely incredible" and "an absolute machine."
"The height of this, you look at it and you think, 'It looks like a big camelback', but honestly, when you're up there, seeing everything around is absolutely incredible," Sanbrooke said. "I'm blown away... This ride is just phenomenal." He highlighted the stunning mountainous backdrop visible from the peak, calling it a "really special" experience and a "momentous day" for thrill-seekers globally.
The former theme park employee added, "I can't believe this place is real. It's making me so emotional talking about it." The opening of Six Flags Qiddiya and its record-shattering roster marks a significant new chapter in global theme park tourism, pushing the boundaries of engineering and adrenaline-fuelled entertainment.
